Terry won't answer England's SOS call for World Cup return... but does Roy need former skipper in Brazil?

John Terry will not return for England even if they ask him to reconsider his retirement.

The former England captain walked away from the international game in September 2012 and Roy Hodgson insisted on Tuesday night that he would not panic and turn to the 32-year-old in the wake of poor defeats against Chile and Germany.

England’s defence was shaky in both those Wembley losses, but Sportsmail understands that Terry is adamant he will not return if called upon.

Blue is the colour: John Terry has no plans to return to England for the World Cup

The Chelsea captain has been excellent for Chelsea under Jose Mourinho and after falling out of favour last season has played every minute of their current Barclays Premier League campaign.

A source close to Terry said: ‘John only wants to concentrate on Chelsea. He is in good form, is fit and doing well.

‘He has retired from international football and has no plans to change that.’

No return: Terry has not played for England since September 2012

Former England right-back Danny Mills, who is part of the FA commission plotting the way forward for the national team, led the calls on Tuesday night for Terry to be recalled on the back of two underwhelming home defeats.

But Hodgson dismissed the idea. He said: ‘We’ve moved on from that. John retired.

'We’ve qualified with our 10 matches and 10 matches with (Gary) Cahill and (Phil) Jagielka. And we’ve seen a very good performance from Chris Smalling.

Two at the back: Gary Cahill and Phil Jagielka are the new look centre back pairing

‘I think it’s important that we continue along those lines, continue looking forward and that we don’t start panicking and looking backwards every time we have a reverse.’

The last of Terry’s 78 England appearances came against Moldova in a World Cup qualifier before he was banned by the FA for racially abusing Anton Ferdinand.

SHOULD ENGLAND TURN BACK TO JOHN TERRY

NO - by Laurie Whitwell

Bringing John Terry back into the England fold is a route to be steered clear of by Roy Hodgson.

It would be like plotting a path to Brazil with a new SatNav only to reverse back home at the first sign of traffic and get out the old A-Z.

It is clear Terry would offer the national team plenty in defence: experience, leadership, know-how. But he retired from international football at a perceived slight against his character by the FA and the status quo should remain.

What signal would it send to recall a man found guilty by the governing body of racially abusing another player? Besides, that would entail some form of coercion and Hodgson would be mindful not to open himself up in such a way.

Move on: A John Terry return would be a backwards step for England

In Gary Cahill, Phil Jagielka, Chris Smalling and Phil Jones the England manager has four centre halves who are competing at the top end of the Premier League, with only the Everton man not regularly testing himself in the Champions League.

It is a nucleus of defenders that can develop over time and challenge for those two starting slots for a number of years to come.

Convincing Terry to come back would undermine their roles and create a whole lot of mess in the process. Can you imagine what Rio Ferdinand, a member alongside Hodgson on Greg Dyke’s FA Commission, would make of it all.

Chance to shine: Chris Smalling was given starting place against Germany

Like a lost love, absence makes the heart grow fonder and it is entirely possible that those calling for Terry’s reintroduction – most notably Danny Mills, another on the Commission – simply want what they can’t have.

It is true that Terry has seized his opportunity under Jose Mourinho to re-establish himself at Chelsea, but has he really been that good? You wouldn’t exactly describe Chelsea as being watertight this season with Terry at the fore.

Rather than a clamour for Terry’s re-emergence, it will be preferable to see Steven Caulker, a goliath for Cardiff this campaign, handed an international opportunity.

YES - By David Kent

Ask yourself the question: Is John Terry a better central defender than Phil Jagielka, Gary Cahill or Chris Smalling? And if the answer is yes then why should the Chelsea skipper not be recalled by England.

On current form is there an English central defender who is playing better than Terry? Michael Dawson you might say. But while the Spurs defender might have a decent claim for a call-up given his performances this year coupled with England’s dubious defending in the friendlies against Chile and Germany can he really be viewed ahead of Terry in the pecking order?

Off the line: Terry has shown himeslf to be one of the best defenders in the country

Terry has captained his country, has 78 caps and has played in two World Cups and two European Championships. Dawson has four caps and has no major tournament experience, other than sitting on the bench in South Africa,

Even Danny Mills, one of the men charged with shaping the future of the national team thinks the time has come for Roy Hodgson to get on the phone to try and persuade Terry out of international retirement.

Leader: Terry could provide England with some much needed experience at the back in Brazil

Yes his career has been dogged by controversy. And yes the circumstances leading up to his retirement were highly distasteful.

But is Terry currently banned from playing football? No he is not. Was the four-game ban he received from the FA for using ‘abusive and/or insulting words and/or behaviour’ which ‘included a reference to the ethnic origin and/or colour and/or race of (Anton) Ferdinand’ lenient? More than likely.

But Terry did not determine the length of that sanction? No. And it has been served? Yes.